Pirates’ McCutchen spoils Reds’ comeback

The Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen follows through on a solo home run off Reds relief pitcher J.J. Hoover in the 11th inning Saturday.
(Photo:
David Kohl / AP
)

CINCINNATI — Once again, the Reds ran into too much McCutchen.

Andrew McCutchen tied the score with a solo home run in the ninth inning Saturday night, then connected again in the 11th inning, rallying the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-5 victory over Cincinnati.

The Pirates blew a four-run lead for the second straight night but managed to come back behind McCutchen, who has more homers against Cincinnati than anyone else since 2009.

With two swings, the National League’s 2013 MVP saved them from another discouraging meltdown and ended the Reds’ hopes of a second straight comeback.

“We know what they have over there,” Reds outfielder Jay Bruce said. “A guy hits the tying and winning home runs — you don’t see that too often. I’m perfectly happy with what we did tonight, except for losing.”

McCutchen tied it in the ninth off Jonathan Broxton, who was filling in the closer’s role because Aroldis Chapman had pitched four days in a row. McCutchen hit his 17th homer with two outs in the 11th off J.J. Hoover (1-7) for his ninth career multihomer game.

Justin Wilson (3-1) got out of a threat in the 10th with the help of right fielder Gregory Polanco, who threw Ramon Santiago out at the plate as he tried to score from second base on Bruce’s single.

“They outlasted us,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “McCutchen did a nice job, not just offensively with the two home runs, but with the ground he covered. Polanco made a huge throw. We did a lot of things to win the game. They went out and earned it. Both teams had chances to win.”

McCutchen put the Pirates back ahead with a first-pitch homer off Hoover.

“I was just ready to hit,” he said. “It was a slider right down the middle, and I was ready to hit it.”